Trails committee reviews future plans

The Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association’s trails committee reviewed the 2013-2014 plans and budget at its last meeting.

The budget request for 2014 sits at $38,524, with trail work to begin around Lake Balboa.

This would mean a Promesa Trail extension to Hernando, and other work from Balboa Dam to Balearic Road, Ponce de Leon to Levantino Drive, Levantino to west Balboa Drive, west Balboa to Cedar Creek and Cedar Creek to Hernando, which would complete the loop.

Recreation director Stephanie Heffer told the committee work on the new trail from the Coronado Fitness Center to the RV park will begin fairly soon once mowing necessities lessen.

The group has also set up subcommittees to keep tabs on different trail aspects. Ralph Butler and committee chair Ginger Tanner will work on development matters, Linda Holt-Monson and Annie Dethardt on maintenance issues and Dale Webb and Valerie Derryberry on event planning.

Trail conditions were also discussed, noting some erosion here and there and a few trees or logs needing removal; but overall trail conditions were found to be good.

Holt-Monson and Heffer both said Cedar Creek Trail in particular looks great.

The committee also gave approval for trail use for the upcoming Sept. 28 Village Walk for Cancer Research.

Zombie Run planning continues, which will include several trail events. Included in the fun day on the trails is a nature walk on Magellan Beaver Dam Trail, a bike ride on Hernando trails and a golf cart contest on Balboa Spillway Trail.

Heffer queried the committee about a call she received from a resident about using a small motor scooter on the trails. Would that be a problem, she asked.

Committee members were not in favor of allowing a scooter, wondering if it may lead to others and the factors of speed, noise and size. And would scooters cause more maintenance issues?

Tanner said the committee already fields complaints about golf carts on trails and asked would allowing the scooter or scooters drive walkers away?

Heffer said she would do more research on the issue and no final decisions were made.

Trail goals were also on the agenda. These include new trail map signs, a "Friends of the Trails" manual revision, a Par Course along a trail and perhaps fundraisers or grant work.

The trails committee will next meet at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Coronado Committee Center.

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